Classic Poem

Full twice ten years, pining with fond desire,
 Love's Slave I lived, nor broke the galling chain,
 Nor banish'd hope, tho' hope was always vain;
 Ten more, these eyes, when Death's avenging ire
Snatch'd the dear Maid, to whom they dar'd aspire,
 Wept o'er her grave, while still my plaintive strain
 Told each sad Echo of these groves my pain:
 But now, since Time has quench'd th' unwilling fire,
This remnant of my days, with clouds o'ercast,
 To thee, great God , whose mercies never cease,
 I meekly vow, to expiate the past;
Praying, if prayer may sins like mine release,
 By storms long tost to find a port at last,
 Long bruis'd in war at length to sleep in peace.